The Frenchman has been a real force for Spurs from midfield, during a start to the campaign that can be best described as 'mixed,' especially where Capoue's team-mates are concerned.

The midfielder is actually one of the best passers in the Premier League so far - and his work does not stop there.

Indeed, defensively, the 26-year-old has been very impressive in the league. In fact, he outperforms Tottenham's entire back four in two key areas.

Position

Team

Tackles Won/Game

Effective Clearances/Game

Interceptions Won/Game

Aerial Duels Won/Game

Outfielder Blocks/Game

Appearances

Mins Played

Etienne Capoue

MF

Tottenham

2.43

3

3.29

0.71

0.29

7

616

Eric Dier

DF

Tottenham

2.29

3

0.86

2.29

0

7

515

Danny Rose

DF

Tottenham

1.86

2.43

2.71

1.29

0.43

7

605

Younes Kaboul

DF

Tottenham

1

6.86

3.14

1.57

0.71

7

630

Kyle Naughton

DF

Tottenham

1

1.67

0.67

0.33

0.67

3

151

Jan Vertonghen

DF

Tottenham

0.75

6.25

2

1.25

1

4

360

Ben Davies

DF

Tottenham

0

2

1

1

0

1

18

As Opta stats show, no Spurs player has won more tackles than Capoue, while the same applies for the amount of interceptions won per game.

The Frenchman has played every single one of Tottenham's league games so far and, in that time, has averaged more won tackles than any Spurs defender. Interestingly, his rate of clearances is also only beaten by Jan Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul.

As a defensive midfielder, the 26-year-old's ability to tackle and intercept passes is central to his purpose - but the fact that no Spurs defenders have won more than him perhaps reflects as badly on the back four as it does represent how well Capoue is doing.

In the air and in terms of blocks, the midfielder is easily beaten. But boss Mauricio Pochettino will be thankful for his ability to shield the defence. Now for the defence to up their game in return.

Tim Poole

Tim Poole is a sports journalist for HITC with a love of football, tennis and snooker in particular.His career to date has seen him speak to former Manchester United boss David Moyes, interview snooker world champion Mark Selby and be snubbed by Premier League managers and players in more than one language!He is a massive Roger Federer fan and lives by the motto that 'sport is life.' When he's not writing about it, he's playing it, be it football, tennis, basketball, badminton, table tennis, darts, snooker, golf or even water polo. He is better at some than others...